Kabale's Kirengyere residents smell looming tragedy in dangerous garbage dump

Residents of Kirengyere village, Kabale district, fear a potential disaster at a local garbage dump, drawing comparisons to the tragic Kiteezi landfill collapse.

Residents of Kirengyere village in Kyanamira sub-county, Kabale District, are living in fear after the recent tragedy at the Kiteezi landfill claimed over 34 lives and left many injured.

The local garbage dumping center, which also serves as a burial site for unclaimed bodies, bears a troubling resemblance to Kiteezi, raising concerns that a similar disaster could occur in their community.

On arrival at the Kirengyere garbage landfill, visitors are greeted by swarms of houseflies and a strong stench.

The centre, operational since 2010, has become a breeding ground for diseases and a source of constant distress for nearby residents.

The situation worsens during rainfall when filthy water from garbage heaps seeps into homes, and houseflies infest the area, exposing residents to infections.

Peace Kagurusi, Jane Karukwazi, and Sharon Orikyere, who live near the dump, describe the challenges they face, particularly during the rainy season, when the stench becomes unbearable.

Residents are haunted by the memory of the Kiteezi tragedy and fear a similar event could happen in Kabale.

They are particularly concerned about the poor waste management and the burial of unclaimed bodies at the site. Dogs often exhume bodies from shallow graves, adding to their worries.

Kirengyere residents are urgently calling for action from local authorities.

"We are struggling with houseflies and filthy water seeping into our homes. We’ve heard that the municipal council purchased land elsewhere, and we urge them to move the garbage to that new location," they plead.

Andrew Beija, health inspector for Kabale Municipality, acknowledges the residents' concerns. He notes that the garbage center is nearly full and that municipal leaders are worried it may no longer serve its purpose within the next two to three years.

Beija adds that plans are underway to acquire larger land further from town.

As the residents continue to live in fear, their calls for help grow louder. The question remains: will their pleas be answered, or will they face the devastating consequences of inaction?